Knock down chair and stool assemblies



N. MAYER KNOCK DOWN CHAIR AND STOOL ASSEMBLIES Filed March 9, 1955Marchv 10, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. 444%52 BY z 5 I 4770241;

March 10, 1959 KNOCK DOWN CHAIR AND STOOL ASSEMBLIES Filed March 9,1955

2: Shgt-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. 4422/4 /1/47E/.

Arra 6 1167 5 MAYER I 2,876,828

2,876,828 KNOCK DOWN CHAIR AND STOOL ASSEMBLIES Nathan Mayer, New York,N. Y. Application March 9, 1955, Serial No. 493,277 Claims. (Cl.155-196) The present invention relates to, the manufacture ofprefabricated furniture, and in particular to knock down or collapsibleunits which may be assembled into chairs, benches, stools and similararticles of furniture. This is a continuation-in-part of my earlierfiled application Serial No. 464,749, filed October 26, 1954.

Many advantages may be attributed to the use of prefabricatingtechniques in the manufacture of various articles of furniture. Forexample, in the construction of a stool, it is known to assemble a stoolor body with legs and a back by the use of nuts and bolts, and similarattachment fixtures. To facilitate such assembly, manufacturersfrequently package appropriate tools with the prefabricated parts, whichtools are employed in making the required mechanical connections.Whether supplied by the manufacturer or not, the need for such tools,and/or the need for separate fixtures in achieving assembly, generallydetracts from saleability. It is not infrequent that the assemblyfixtures and parts get lost or the consumer experiences difliculty ineffecting even the most simple mechanical assembly operation. Thus, as apractical matter, the use of separate fixtures or tools detracts fromsaleability, and utter simplicity must be the keynote for widespreadconsumer acceptance.

It is broadly an object of the present invention to provide aprefabricated furniture assembly technique particularly suitable for theassembly of stools, chairs and the like. Specifically, it is within thecontemplation of the present invention to providea knockdown stoolassembly which is integrally constructed and arranged such that assemblyis achieved simply, with ordinary skill, and without the need forseparate attachment fixtures and assembly tools.

1 It is a still further object of the present invention to provide aknockdown stool construction which, when as sembled, exhibits mechanicalstrength and rigidity and is compatible with ornamental and aestheticrequirements.

It is a still further object of the present invention toprovide assemblytechniques suitable for the prefabricationof stools with or without aback rest. To advantage, a back rest may be unit, and as desired by theconsumer, either assembled to provide a stool with a back, or left outof the assembly to provide a backless stool.

In accordance with an illustrative embodiment demonstrating features ofthe present invention as applied to the manufacture of a prefabricatedstool, there is provided a stool top, a pair of attachment bracketssecured to or integral with the undersurfaceof the stool top, a backsection including arms received within respective channels of theattachment brackets, a pair of leg sections, and cooperating means onthe attachment bracket and on each of theleg sections for releasablysecuring the leg sections to the stool in an assembled position. The legsections in the assembled position are arranged to confine thesupporting arms of the back section in the channels. such that the backsection is fixed in relation provided with the prefabricated leg section14 is engagedpver andabout thekeeper bar or withoutthe back section,

2,876,828 Patented Mar. 112,195?

sections are provided with to the stool top. The leg means which areoperative to lock the cooperating means against release and to securethe leg sections in the desired assembled position.

To advantage, the stool top and the leg sections, with may be packagedas a unit for shipment in knockdown condition. The unit may then beassembled by the consumer by comparatively simple manual manipulation,not involving the use of separate fixtures or tools.

The above brief description, features and advantages of the presentinvention will be best appreciated by reference to the followingdetailed description of a presently preferred, but nonethelessillustrative form of the invention, when taken in con: junction with theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a knock down stool assemblydemonstrating features of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the stool top and leg sections of Fig.1, when assembled, the optional back rest being shown by dot-dash lines;

Fig. 3 is an inverted perspective view showing the leg sectionspartially assembled with the stool top;

Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of the stool, with parts broken away andsectioned, showing the cooperation be. tween the attachment brackets orchannels on the undersurface of the stool top, the leg sections, and thesupporting arms of the back section;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 5-5 ofFig. 4 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 6 is a bottom plan view with parts broken away and sectioned,showing the cooperation between the brackets or channels on theundersurface of the stool with the respective leg sections when the backsection is removed; and,

Fig. 7 is a sectional view, taken substantially along the line 7-7 ofFig. 6 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

as well as further objects,

Referring now specifically to Fig. 1, there is shown in explodedperspective view,

a multiple-part stool assembly 10 which includes a top or seat section12, leg sections 14, 16, a back section'w18, and attachment brackets orchannel members 20, 22. The individual components of the stool assemblymay be fabricated of any appropriate materials. For example,'the stoolseat or top 12 may be made of wood or metal, with or without a paddedcover; the leg and back sections 14, 16, 18 may be made of wrought ironwith appropriate welds; and the channel members may be made of bentsheet metal.

In the illustrative embodiment, the top or seat section 12, isillustrated as a circular metal plate 24 having an integral dependingannular skirt 26. bers or attachment brackets 20, 22 undersurface of theplate in spaced rivets, screws or welds.

are secured to the parallel relation by The leg sections 14, 16 aresubstantially similar in construction and are interchangeable in theassembly. Specifically, the leg section 14 includes legs 28, 30, joinedtogether adjacent to the upper ends by a transverse cross bar 32. Thelegs 28, 30 are formed with offset secure-' ment parts 34, 36, each ofwhich terminates in a hooked e'nd 34a, 36a. The lower end of the legs28, 30 are formed with reverse bends providing feet 38, 40, the feet 38,40 being joined together by an integral locking mema hook-shape catchmember 42a. The

ber 42 including leg section 16 is its locking member 42' is In theassembled position,

similar to the leg section 14, except that the catch member 42a of theThe channel menu-- provided with a keeper bar 42 2'.-

42a of the locking member 42, as seen in Fig. 2. The cooperating lockmembers 42, 42' may serve as afoot rest when joined together and provideintegral bracing portions for the leg sections. a

The channel members or securement brackets 20, 22 are preferablyfabricated of bent sheet metal and are completely similar inconstruction, and thus interchangeable. Accordingly, it is necessary todescribe only one of the attachment brackets in detail. Specifically,the attachment bracket or channel member 20 includes opposed andparallel side walls 44, 46 joined together by a connecting bottom wallor base 48 and formed with end walls 50, S2. The opposite end walls 50,52 each have a circular opening 54 serving as bearings for the hookedends otthe sccurernent parts 34a, 36a of the leg sections 14, 15. Theside wall 46 is cut away adjacent each of the end walls 50, 52, asindicated by the numeral 56 to provide a seating cutout which n thecross bars 32, when the leg sections 14, 16 are assembled, asillustrated in Figs. 5 and 7.

The back section 18 includes a supporting frame 69 of generally L-shapedconfiguration which carries a back rest 62. The supporting frameincludes supporting arms 64, 66 which are adapted to extend horizontallyand be neath the stool body as seen in Fig. 5. The supporting arms 64,.66, each include a shoulder 68 and an abutment part 70, terminating inan upwardly opening hooked end 72. As seen best in Fig. 5, thesupporting arms 64, 66 are proportioned in relation to the channelmembers 20, 22 such that the abutment parts 70 lie within the channelmember against the base 48 thereof and beneath the cross bars of theright hand leg section 12 with the hooked terminal ends extending aboutthe cross bar of the left hand leg section 14. Thus, the supporting arms64, 66 are confined within the channels by the cross bar 52 of the legsection 16.

A typical assembly for joining together the stool top 12 and the legsections 14, 16 without the back section 18 will be described inconjunction with Figs. 2, 3, 6 and 7 in order to facilitate a morethorough understanding of the present invention:

With the stool inverted, the hooked offset terminal portions 34a, 36a ofthe respective leg sections 14, 16 are engaged in the openings .54 inthe end walls 52 of the brackets-20, 22, as illustrated in Fig. 3, andthe leg sections swung toward each other until the cross bars 32 seatwithin the respective notches 56 formed on the in ner walls 46 of thechannel members 20, 22. As the assembled position of Fig. 2 isapproached, the hooked catch 42a of the lock member 42 is engaged aboutthe keeper member 42a of the lock member 42. It has been found as apractical matter that suflicient rigidity and stability is imparted tothe assembly by merely engaging the hooked catch 42a over the keeper 42adue to the elasticity of the metal employed in fabricating therespective leg sections. However, in the event that such gripping andlocking of the catch and keeper .is deemed insufiicient, perhaps fromthe standpoint of safety, it is possible to employ auxiliary lockingmeans of a more permanent nature, for example a screw threaded throughaligned holes formed in the cooperating keeper and catch.

The dismantling. operation is equally simple and merely requires theurging of the respective leg sections toward each other such that thereleasable locking parts 42, 42 may be disengaged, followed ,by theremoval of the ofiset securement parts from the respective bearingopenings 54.

By reference to Figs. 4 and S, a typical assembly operation in which theback section 18 is joined to the body andleg sections of the stool willbe described:

a After engagement of the offset securement parts of one of the legsections in the adjacent bearing openings of the brackets 20, 22, forexample the left hand section 14 of Fig. 3, the'leg section is swunginto the final assembled position. Thereupon, the supporting arms 64, 66of't'he back rest frame 60'; are disposed within their respectivereceives end adjacent portions of Y o the pp g a ms 6 6 brackets withthe hooked-ends 72 engaged over the cross bar 32 of the assembled legsection 14. Thereupon, the ofiset sccurernent parts of the other legsection 16 are inserted within the opposite end openings into thebrackets 20, 22, and the leg section 16 is swung to the assembledposition. As seen in Figs. 4 and 5, the cross bar or brace of the legsection 16 bears against the abutment parts '70 h s confin g the abutment parts within the respective channels with the shoulders 68 bearingagainst the end walls 52. Upon engaging the hooked catch 42a over thecooperating keeper bar 42a, the assembly is completed with thesupporting arms 64, 66 of the back section confined within the channelmembers 20, 22'.

By a consideration of the illustrative embodiment of the invention, itwill be appreciated that there has been provided a knockdown stoolassembly, with or without back, which may be assembled ordismantled withequal simplicity. Both the assembly and dismantling operations-donotrequire the use of tools. When once assembled, the several componentparts of the stool provide a rattle-proof unit, which for all intentsand purposesmay be considered unitary.

Numerous modifications are intended within the spirit and scope of theinstant disclosure. Accordingly the appended claims should beinterpreted in a manner c0nsistent with the disclosures herein, and incertain instances certain features of the invention will be used withouta corresponding use of other features.

What I claim is:

1. A knockdown stool assembly including a stool top and leg sections,said leg sections each including offset securement parts extending inopposite directions and being dependingly supported from said stool topin an assembled position, channel members carried on the nndersurface ofsaid stool top, said channel members having end walls formed withopenings receiving said securement parts and mounting said leg sectionsfor pivotal movement into said assembled position, said channel membershaving side walls formed with seating notches engaging portions of saidleg sections in said assembled position, the side walls of said channelmembers being arranged to confine said leg sections against lateraldisplacement when in said assembled position, and means on said legsections and engageable in said assembled position for locking said legsections against movement.

2. A knockdown furniture assembly including a main body, a back section,and leg sections, said leg sections each including offset securementparts extending in opposite directions and being dependingly supportedfrom said main body section in an assembled position, channel memberscarried on the undersurface of said main body section, said channelmembers having end walls formed with bearing means receiving saidsecnrement parts and mounting said leg sections for pivotal movementinto said assembled position, said channel members being further formedwith seating means engaging portions of said leg sections in saidassembled positions, said channel members being arranged to confine saidleg sections against lateral displacement when in said assembledposition, said back section including supporting arms extending beneathsaid main body and received in said channel members, and means on saidleg sections and engageable in said assembled position for locking saidlegsections against movement, and means on said leg sections operativein response to the locking of said leg sections against movement andserving to confine said supporting arms of said back section within saidchannel members.

3. A knockdown stool assembly including a stool top, a pair of channelbrackets secured to the undersurface of said stool top, a back sectionincluding arms received within said channel brackets, a pair of legsections, cm

operating means on saidchannel brackets and on each" of said legsections for releasably securing said leg sections to said stool top inan assembled position, one of said cooperating means on one of said legsections in said assembled position confining said supporting armswithin said channels, and means on said leg sections operative to locksaid cooperating means against release and to secure said leg sectionsin said assembled position.

4. A knockdown stool assembly including a stool top and leg sectionseach including offset securement parts, and a cross bar extendingbetween said securement parts, said leg sections being dependinglysupported from said stool top in an assembled position, channel memberscarried on the undersurface of said stool top, said channel membersbeing formed with openings receiving said securement parts and mountingsaid leg sections for pivotal movement into said assembled position,said channel members having side walls formed with seating notchesengaging said cross bars of said leg sections in said assembledposition, the side walls or" said channel members being arranged toconfine said leg sections against lateral displacement when in saidassembled position, and means on said leg sections and engageable witheach other in said assembled position for locking said leg sectionsagainst movement.

5. A knockdown furniture assembly including a main body, a back section,and leg sections, said leg sections each including ofiset securementparts extending in opposite directions and being dependingly supportedfrom said main body section in an assembled position, channel memberscarried on the under-surface of said main body section, said channelmembers being formed with bearing means receiving said seeurement partsand mounting said leg sections for pivotal movement into said assembledposition, said channel members being arranged to confine said legsections against lateral displacement when in said assembled position,said back section including supporting arms extending beneath said mainbody and received in said channel members, and means on said legsections and engageable in said assembled position for locking said legsections against movement, and means on said leg sections operative inresponse to the locking of said leg sections against movement andserving to confine said supporting arms of said back section within saidchannel members.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS644,506 Dromgold Feb. 27, 1900 1,300,861 Otte Apr. 15, 1919 1,480,416Phol Jan. 8, 1924 1,864,535 Hach et al June 28, 1932 1,997,486 HallowellApr. 9, 1935 FOREIGN PATENTS 237,065 Germany July 20, 1911

